Michael Lawson

I started as an OA Bus Op on July 26, 1982 and I was promoted to Dispatcher on October 10, 1994. Around 1998, I became a Line Steward for buses, which was my first position as Union Rep. But before that I was a member of the Tier 3 Committee in 1984, which worked to reverse recent changes to the minimum retirement age and required years of service.

At the time, this was something new that came out where MTA employees were told they would need 30 years of service and to be over age 62 in order to retire with benefits. I was young when I came on the job, and all the other city agencies had 20 and out. The Tier 3 Committee worked to reverse that change, and we were successful.

In 2010, I was appointed as Recording Secretary for the Executive Board. More than anything, I want to see if I can help with the changes that this administration is working on. I have a lot of time left, and I want to help the Union move forward and be in a good position to continue even after I’m gone.